Long neglected!

Hello blog world! I'm sorry I've forgotten about you recently, I've been quite busy.


Most of you will know by now that we have moved from Luton. My time at St Hugh's finished up really well, and I even had time to guest blog for the diocese. You can have a look at that here.


We moved back to Billericay at the beginning of February. We left Luton pretty quietly, as we'll be leaving the country in a bit more style later in the year. After all that happened around Christmas and being unwell in January, it didn't seem right to have a party. But will immigration imminent, we'll do something when the time is right.


The process to immigration is getting there. We had been waiting a while to get our first letter back from the Embassy in London. In the end we waited for 4 months for them to check all my paperwork and credentials. We have to make the next step now, and then things will move pretty quickly, but we won't. We'll be in England for a while as we work and spend time with family. I'm going to try and document the process so that I can look back at it and remember the experience.


Right now I'm not scared about the next steps. I have to go through a medical and interview. Which will be two days in London, but with Robert now working for the train company, we'll be travelling a bit cheaper!


I'm waiting to start nannying as well, I didn't think that changing careers would be so tough. You need experience to gain a job, but you need a job to gain experience. So I'm very lucky that someone will give me a chance to work with their children one-to-one. As for a career in America, we're looking into me teaching at Elementary level. I'm choosing a universal subject so that my skills will be infinitely more transferable. I'm actually really excited about nannying and teaching. 


Keep an eye out for more blogging.

Seaside Rock Holiday Club

Yeay! Only one more session to go of Holiday Club, which takes the form of Sunday@11 at St Hugh's.

I'm so glad it's over, but sad at the same time, all that we have been working towards over the last 3 months was done in 6 hours!

The theme was Peter's encounters of Jesus. We took on the drama in typical St Hugh's style, doing our own thing and being really relevant whilst doing so. It seemed as though the drama's went down really well. We had about 30 children, half Reception age, the rest up to year 6.

I've a lot to learn about running a holiday club, but also I've learnt a lot. It's been a good week. I'm pretty exhausted, but really looking forward to tomorrow morning.

Worth blogging

The rise of twitter is really having an adverse affect on my blogging skills. And since I no longer write essays, I am really out of practice with writing.

But something comes along that is definitely worth blogging about.

My young people are amazing. There's nothing quite like sitting back on a Sunday morning and having 3 young people preaching, one leading worship and the average age of everyone talking is about 16.

And it really was nothing to do with me. As well as being proud of the young people, I'm also really proud of my co-worker. He's an encourager, and so pro-active. He's done so much with the boys, I'm really impressed.

God's still doing quite a lot with all of us and we are all trying too.

I should be lookng for more things that are worth blogging about.

Easter Celebrations

All of St Hugh's Easter 'stuff' (services, reflections, sleepovers and dawn time gatherings) were well attended. We had a good time hanging out with the young people on saturday night and getting up nice and early to watch it get lighter.

I've always enjoyed getting up for the sunrise at Easter, and it much more exciting when you have a bunch of teenagers to encourage to be awake at such an unearthly hour! We didn't see the sun until later in the morning because it was pretty cloudy again this year, and it just started to rain as we got back to church for breakfast.

Our 11am service was really busy this year, but with some lovely small children making themselves at home, it still very much felt like we had a great time. We read through Luke 24 and stopped at the appropriate places to worship and share communion. The staff team did really well putting it all together.

I haven't had the chance to think a lot about what I thought of the Lent course and our whole Eastertime, but I'm sure I'll have a chance now that I'm not feeling fantastic and am hiding under a duvet! Easter is a lot more hard work than Christmas, that's for sure.

There are some pictures here.

Revelations

Quiet moments allow for revelations, travelling is a great chance to think through things. Much like Paul travelling on the road to Damascus, though I haven't been blinded, I guess sitting in your car in the snow and horrendous traffic, gives you chances to think.

I was thinking how long the newness of a new year lasts? A day, week, month, six months? So I'll keep waiting for the revelations to find me!

In other news, it's been an interesting week for the building of St Hugh's, we are currently coping without any heating for the church part of our building. Something broke and tripped the electricity, so the whole boiler needs replacing. Pray it happens quickly and the parts arrive and get fixed. We were pretty cramped in the hall on Sunday.

I'm looking forward to this term, as it panning out nicely and I feel prepared for all the things that could happen. We're really busy, and it means I have to miss a few things, but I'm sure there are bigger plans at hand.

CUF

My salary is largely funded by a great bunch of guys at Church Urban Fund. They visited us a few months ago for Big Breakfast, took some information and some pictures.

We're currently "project of the month" on their website. Love it. There's Lauren and me under the rainbow in the hall (on the CUF home page), and then Trina and Dele at the top of the page and Alex at the bottom. Yes we have a wide mix of people at BB.

I cannot tell you how proud I am of all the hard work the volunteers do to put on Big Breakfast every week! It's a massive relief to see some of the work I do getting recognised.

Along with that and something God said to me last night, I'm feeling pretty chuffed right now.

Later this week I'm off to Youthwork the Conference. I'm massively looking forward to a) hanging out with the boys and my sister and b) being away for a bit with a purpose.

Back To Church Sunday

This Sunday is National Back To Church Sunday, and this year St Hugh's is taking part. The stats say that there are 3 million people in the UK who would go back to church if they were invited.

So I have taken on the task of preaching this weekend. Not really a scary thought for me, I've got used to the idea that I preach probably twice a term. The subject is Adam and Eve in the Garden, we're focussed on 2v18 "it is not good for the man to be alone". I'm still aving lots of thoughts on this one and to fit them into 15 mins might be a bit of a struggle, but so far so good. I'm enjoying the challenge.

I have other homework too, we have an amazing mix of people at church and one of the vicars is a really great preacher. So she's teaching us how to be better at preaching. She set us home work last week; take a passage, read it, work out it's context, work out who it's for and do a 30 word mini-preach on what it means for us today. I haven't even started thinking on in, as per usual leaving homework right til the last moment.

I hope that B2CS goes really well for everyone who is doing it.

Holidays and Broadband

Not really been blogging, mostly because I've been busy doing admin, making cakes and attempting to get broadband in my house after a massive 4 weeks without (I think Broadband is quickly becoming a home essential).

I'll add pictures to this when I get home, as I've also now put my birthday pictures on FB, so will add those shortly.

I've been the temporary administrator for church whilst the actual secretary is on holiday, it's not vital for me to be doing this job, as the office runs intermittently during holiday times. It's more for my own stability. Last year I hardly did anything over the holiday period, but this time I've got 3 groups sorted from September to Christmas, and have even started to consider Christmas time. We're getting there with packing for Uganda and I think next summer I'll do a drop in during the summer as some of my yp are already bored (they've only been on holiday for 2 weeks).

So when the secretary returns on Wednesday I will probably retreat for a few days to prepare for a busy three weeks. I also am helpfully putting my thoughts on to paper about the coming year.

Look out for pictures they'll be up later when I get home. Have to also write a sermon centred around Uganda, 1 Corinthians 13 and Micha 6:8. So if any one has any ideas, they would be greatly appreciated!

Her's the finished article, 3 Chocolate and 3 Maderia Cakes all 6"x6" - a total of 6 hours baking. It's sparkly and purple... if any one would like to make me a cake those are good things to go with!

A Long List

Things have been happening since I last wrote...

My faith took another bashing at a Youth BBQ. I can understand the school children doing it, they don't know me, they are permitted to ask questions (however mockingly). But at a BBQ with young people I know quite well, sadly I had to walk away and not be part of the conversation any more, cause I'd run out of answers and patience.

Then we had Lewsey Churches BBQ inside because of the torrential rain and thunderstorms outside. I can't remember having such extreme weather in the UK, it's been such a long time since we had regular decent thunder and lightening. I really enjoyed it, mainly because I wasn't getting wet!

The week wore on; it's that time of year for trips. We have an unusal thing in our youth group where two people were born hours apart, so have the same birthday. They are completely unrelated. I love the way God brings people together. We headed to Laser Quest for their birthdays. During 'dinner' I sat back and realised what a wonderful youth group had been formed over the last year. They, as a group, are testament to how much I have learnt. I love them all dearly and pray that their group gets stronger.

We had breakfast on the car park and a mighty miracle from God to do it. He moved the clouds at 8am and the sun shone through till 9.30am. Everything is possible when you let God work! It was great to see the young people and teachers that day, though sadly no dustbin men or old grumpies. Our community doesn't feel complete without them really. It was a great way to end the term.

During that week I also completed the practice and essay for my PGDip and JNC. So I can now say that "I am a fully Qualified Youth Worker, subject to Exam Board passing my essay and practice file". Not quite as fun as saying I'm a JNC Youth Worker, but close enough for me! It's been 2 years of hard work, but it's all done (subject to Exam Board - it's like a sting in the tail).

Then it was time for me and my sister to turn 25. We went our separate ways for our actual birthday. She hung out with our family and went drinking and dancing, whilst I spent the morning at Luton Hoo, and the evening at Silverstone.

For those who don't know Luton Hoo is a stately home turned Hotel, newly refurbished and reopened to the public. They do a great breakfast. So I and 12 girls (and 1 boy who is so tiny he didn't know any different) had breakfast together. It was delightful!
Me and Christine

Me in my new role as Stately Home owner!

Silverstone is a whole other world. Its one of the main race tracks in the UK and where Formula 1 raced only a few weekends ago. I went up there to spend the evening with a friend who was racing with Formula Student. All the Mechanical Engineer departments in Europe racing cars they have built. Was very fun I stood on the track and in the pit lane. My Dad really lovely Formula 1 so was very jealous. I loved it.

The Home Straight

Me standing with a vacant expression on my face... hoping not to get run over, not really know what to do. I look proper tiny under the Santander Bridge!

The pit lane... apparently still had markings on it from F1 (I don't really know though, I'm a girl!)

Sunday was spent at church with a[n embarrassing] rendition of Happy Birthday, which left me very red and quite embarrassed. Then to the parents for BBQ with family, extended family, our church friends and the boys school/work friends. Was lovely to see everyone and hang out. (will post pics soon)

Monday night I held another Youth BBQ and the new Curate helped out. He's a man and loves building fire, so the job was perfect for him. The YP had brought me a card and cake! They surprised me massively. And again I realised how blessed I am to have all 13 of them in my life. Lovely young people! Brilliant end to a great weekend!

Hopefully life will calm down now. Just Uganda and September term to prepare for! Ha ha... working hard as ever!

Taken Over

The young people and myself helped church along it's way on Sunday. I spoke, they led games, sorted craft type things and did music stuff.

It's funny how we really are our parent's children on occasions like this. The service was longer than I'd planned... can't really work out where the time went. The things I've learnt in the past 3 years have been good, I've definitely stepped fully into St Hugh's way of life.

I'm at that point in life where people are turning 25 all around, my turn soon. So was in Essex to begin celebrations at the weekend. Really enjoy my Essex friends.

I also hunted down my Uganda memorabilia from 2001! Can't believe it was so long ago now, we all look so young in the photos. What I didn't find was a Health Passport saying I'd had a Yellow Fever jab more recently. Quite annoying, but then there appeared a raging debate on facebook as to whether I actually need a jab at all. To be honest I'd rather have a £40 jab than be really sick! But then I suppose I'm a westerner and money is no object. Selfish? Maybe. Sensible? Yes. Any way seeing my GP in two weeks to sort it all out. Don't particularly fear jabs, more worried about feeling sick in the wake of the jabs. Dr Michael, any suggestions?

Oh, then Andy Murray won at Queens, how exciting!?! Wimbledon is going to be stunning this year. I am, by no means an enthusiast, but tennis is very easy to watch and I mostly understand it. So looking forward to sport this summer.

Tigger moments

No internet at home means plain blogging for a few weeks. I promise many photo's upon the return of BT broadband to the house (Sky lost out because they were massively unhelpful...)

I'm at work, making massive use of the internet before working on a sermon this afternoon with no facebook distraction! There might be something go out of this lack of internet!

No thoughts worth sharing have occurred in the last seven days. But Good News prevails! Since we joined Mission Direct, had a project to go to and confirmed who was going to be part of the team we have raised the £11,160 we need to pay for our tickets.

This was massively helped along by my parents church, my own church and the local community. Everybody has put so so so much in. I got a bit emotional in church on Sunday. Not a bad thing, I was totally and suddenly overcome by how much people had given! It's amazing. God has been gracious to us, He's given more than I could ever imagine.

There are many minds at peace about this trip now, mine is one of them, but I've felt like this since February, so I turned into Tigger. My security and joy definitely come from God and I'm massively happy at the moment.

Now all I have to remember is to pay the money to MD oh, and get the booster injections and health passort I need to gain entry to Uganda.

iSpeak (again)

I spoke at St Hugh's yesterday morning for the second time this year. Was very interesting to preach from a book that's not the Bible, but seeing as I cycle for 40mins a day I had time to read the chapter I was preaching on.

Here's the link for my one and only fan - my Dad.

That's all I have to say for now. Short and sweet.

And as a total after thought, 5 years this weekend!

Trips and fixes

I was in Essex yesterday to celebrate Mum's birthday and to catch up with other family and a few friends. So we sang happy birthday, twice, and bowled until we hurt. My cousin showed himself up to be a bit of a star. I think there will be much more bowling now, at least as Dad and brothers try to beat the cousin!

While I was in Essex I put my car into the Honda garage, and it got fixed before lunch time! Did I use the replaced mirror on my way back? I think about once or twice, turns out you probably don't need that mirror unless you live in a town where there are lots of cyclists.

Recently St Hugh's has been taking its time with God and being family on a Sunday morning, something different happened today, the young people were the ones taking their time. We were sitting and chatting about God's faithfulness and had far too much to talk about it would seem. When we got back to church everybody had left apart from the parents of the young people!

God is with us, His faithfulness extends to a thousand generations. His love endures forever, my help comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

I learnt a lot today about the small group of young people, and it confirms to me why Jesus had a smaller group around him. It's so much easier to manage and to hear what every one is saying. It was a bit intense, but we learnt.

Coptic Church, Stevenage. 8.30 am 10/02/08

Sunrise is undoubtedly the best part of the day, so as we travelled into a raising sun this morning I was expecting glorious things.

The Coptic Church is described as the Egyptian Othodox Church, so the service was performed in Arabic, sung and spoken English. It did feel like we were toruists in a foreign land at some points, but like St Hugh's we have our traditions when setting up for church, they did too.

Arriving at the church site you are greeted with a huge mozaic of Jesus and angels (the exact same mozaic is behind the altar table). Walking in through big wooden doors and then some nice glass ones, noticing that the nativity scene was up in the foyer.

In this church the patterns all match, the etched glass, the celing, the lectern, the panneling on the back wall. Was good to see that there was some continuity throughout. This place is a Cathedral, with LCD screens, a balcony, and a side room for baptism. Marble flooring made my shoes a lot louder than they are on the carpet at St Hugh's. Oh and did I mention the icons? No, well it'd be hard to miss them. They are quite huge.

We were welcomed with a very polite smile and a few questions from (what seemed to be) the second in command. Then when the preist had finished, a student read the first reading of the day in garbled English. Then we had the brief history before being lead to the side room.

An hour long ceremony commenced, which was the blessing of the water, and reading of scriptures, then baptism itself and confirmation.

**this bit I didn't understand, I need to find out what confirmation means to the coptic church, in order to understand why they have it done on the same day**

Baptism is by full immersion which the girls didn't like at all. The leader/preist guy wasn't pushy but he had a scary beard and getting your head pushed under water isn't nice even if you have been warned! Oh and only the parents renounce the devil (to the west) and confirm their faith in Christ (to the east).

Ther service for the regular members of the congregation was about to start, so we headed back to St Hugh's. Pleased with the experience and wishing the parents luck as they had another 4 hours or half-english/half-arabic to sit through in order for their children to take first communion. Boy I hope I get to see the parents this week to share with them.

Long winded, yes, but then the church has never been short. Where God guides we go... I'll keep trying to get around to other churches this year, it's an experience!

Launching

The young people of St Hugh's got a chance to share their experience and skills on Friday night, when they launched the fundraising for their trip to Uganda.

I'll put some pictures up soon...

The week has been a very busy one. Starting last Saturday, I had four visitors from Essex. We all sat and had dinner, discussing the finer points of a few things.
Sunday 'Life in all it's fullness' started... Good stuff.
So finally I'm back in to some sort of routine. Easter isn't that far off, and with Pancake day only a week and a half away the routine will be disrupted already.

Pinicking & Dressing Up

Dressing for a wedding. This is the dress and shoes I will wear when I am a bridesmaid for the first time ever! Very excited. Chris took some arty photos of me in the bridal shop and now I'm thinking about what I can do for the rest of my time in Canada... any suggestions?


I was messing round with my digital and SLR camera before I go to Canada to see what type of photo's I could get from the huge lillies I brought the other day, this is one of many.


The children playing in Ashridge today at the church picnic. Climbing up is never an issue, it's always getting down! The littlest one didn't climb she was lifted. They kept me busy all afternoon, but I had such a good time.

This week is preparing for Soul Survivor and preparation for the new term. Keep praying hard! I know I am.

May Ball 2-007 / Pentecost

A bit nicked from Chris! We headed to the Universities May Ball on Friday, which had a James Bond theme...


And the girlies pre-coach trip...

It was a great night.

Now it's half term, and there are a few different things happening, but for now I'm chilling out and watching POTC3 with Liz this evening!

* * *

The young people led the Petecost service at St Hugh's on Sunday. They were all amazing, I was so impressed. Sermon is on other page.

The Holy Spirit definitely arrived and I'm well excited about what the future holds for the young people in St Hugh's.

Less Itchy

I'm less itchy than I was earlier in the week... I reckon I had head lice from school. Which is never fun, but it doesn't matter now.

Taught Moses through a picture this afternoon, so I've had a crafty week. That ends the series on God talking to us - next is God giving us courage.

Luton is being covered in prayer currently, and the young people from St Hugh's joined in. I'm proud of them. It's Global Day of Prayer on Sunday. Pray for them as they lead St Hugh's Pentecost Service. I'm doing a short preach, should be good.

It's half term next week, wohoo! Heading to Cambridge for an afternoon and Essex for a day, looking forward to it all.

Bank Holiday

Had a fantastic long weekend... started with school on Friday being fun. Saturday was a bit here-and-there, but I ended up in town at a party. Sunday was groups in church, Jeff helped out, and we were singing Joseph in GLP. Evening was spent at St Mary's... was brill.

Monday morning was an early start for breakfast at Joe and Jess's, then we all walked to The Green Man. Had some lunch and on the way back walked passed the bluebells.

Then I headed to Essex to make a purchase. I'll tell you more on Thursday...

Lyrically speaking

Had quite an anglican weekend... St Hughs held it's APCM (Thats Annual Parochial Church Meeting aka AGM aka health check), was a bit full on for a Sunday morning. It would have been quite short if someone hadn't have asked 'whats the relationship between the school and the church?' Which of course sparked a few people into action.

I was way down the queue to have my say... but that's such a good sign. So many people are ready to help out and they know so much more than I do at the moment.

We had news this week that the young people had raised £1000 for WorldVision! I'm so impressed with them. The certificate will be proudly displayed on our new fundraising board. We had started to pull ideas together for Soul Survivor (and Resonate), so look out for pictures!

Had Tim Hughes' new album on repeat lately, he's gone a bit grassroots with his lyrics. 'Clinging to the cross' is my favourite. I'm already having fun adding other lyrics to the songs though. One goes 'the sun, the moon, the stars, the heavens' but could easily be changed to 'the sun, the moon, the stars, whatever!'. Ok I found it funny, stop laughing at me.

Back to work I suppose.